Circuit-interrupter.



C. AALBORG & T. S. PUKERUD.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. 'APPLICATION FILED IuLY 24. 1911.

1,1 89,392. y Patented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

ATTORN EY C. AALBRG & T. S. PUKERUD.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, 19u.

1,189,392. Patented July 4, `1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: 2 :l INV NTORS WEZ Y; IATTORNEY nUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTIAN AALBORG AND THOMAS S. PUKERUD, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A COR- e- IORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER- Application led July 24, 1911.

.To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that we, CHRISTIAN AALBORG and THoMAs S. PUKERUD, citizens of the United States, and residents of Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Circuit-Interrupters, of which the following is a specification. y

Our invention relates to interrupters for electric circuits and it has particular reference to such devices as are provided with auxiliary arcing terminals.

One object of our invention is to simplify and improve the construction and operation of devices of the above-indicated class and to provide a circuit-interrupter which shall be compact, durable and inexpensive in construction, and reliable and effective in operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide a circuit-interrupt-ing device of this general class having a main movable contact member and an auxiliary movable arcing terminal which are independently mounted upon separate supporting arms, and means for positively interconnecting said arms and associating them definitely with the operating lever in such manner that the engagement and sepa-ration of the movable contact members with respect to their coperating stationary members must necessarily be e'ected in a predetermined order. `Furthermore, we provide a suitable lost-motion connection for the purpose of obtaining a sufficient time element between the engagement or separation of the cooperating main and auxiliary contact members to insure effective and reliable operation, said means also acting in conjunction with the operating mechanism for effecting a wiping contact between the coperating arcing terminals.

Our invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with our invention, a portion being broken away for the sake of clearness. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1, the operating handle being removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the interT Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 640,192.

rupter taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Referring to the drawings, the device f shown comprises an' insulating panel or .slab 1, main stationary contact members 2 and 3, a coperating movable contact member 4, a supporting arm 5 therefor, a stationary arcing terminal 6, a coperating movable arcing terminal 7, a supporting arm 8 for the said movable terminal, a lost-motion connection 9, a spring 10, an operating mechanism 11, a latch 12, and a releasing mechanism 13.

The main stationary contact terminal 2 comprises a contact block 14 and an auxiliary contact plate 15, said contact block constituting the head of a stud 16 that projects through an opening in the insulating panel 1 and is secured thereto by a nut 17. The stationary contact member 3 also comprises a contact block 18 which forms an integral part of a stud 19 that projects through the insulating panel 1 to form the other terminal of the interrupting device.

The movable contact member 4 comprises a plurality of strips of conducting material which are held in position between curved clamping plates 20 and 21, and is adapted to coperate with and bridge across the main stationary contact members 2 and 3. An auxiliary conducting member 22 is resiliently associated with the main bridging contact member 4 and is adapted to coperate with the auxiliary contact plate 15 and the contact member 3 in a manner that is old and familiar to those skilled in the art. The outer clamping plate 21 constitutes the supporting arm 5 for the movable contact member 4, and its lower end is pivotally supported upon pins 23 that project from bracket members 24, which are suitably secured to the insulating panel l.

The arcing terminals 6 and 7 comprise carbon tips 25 and metal plates 26. The carbon tip 25 of the stationary terminal 6 is securely fastened within its retaining member 27, which is pivotally mounted upon a pin 28 between upwardly projecting arms 29 of a U-shaped supporting member 30, the latter being suitably attached to the contact member 2. The conducting plate 26 constitutes the lower portion of the .stationary arcng terminal 6 and is secured to the sup-A cooperating contact members 2, 3 and i. the auxiliary conducting member 22 and conducting plate 15 and the contact member 3, the cooperating conducting plates 26, and the cooperating arcing tips Q5, takes place in the order named. It will also be understood that, by reason of the pin-andslot connection hereinbefore referred to, the movable contact member i is well separated from the cooperating contact members 2 and 3 prior to the final interruption of the circuit through the arcing terminals. Moreover,inasmuch as the supporting members 5 and 8 are positively connected together and to the operating lever 39, it is evident that there is no possibility of the various cooperating contact members opening in an improper order.

Assuming the interrupter to be open, the closing operation is as follows: The handle lf3 is forced do-wnwardly, thereby forcing the operating toggles hereinbefore mentioned toward their dead center positions. In so doing, the cooperating arcing terminals 6 and 7 are first closed, after which the supporting arm 8 is raised into its uppermost position with respect to the pin-andslot connection, thereby effecting a wiping contact, as will be readily understood. At the same time, the supporting arm 5 is iotated in such manner as to effect the closure of the movable contact member 4 and the stationary contact members 2 and However, by reason of the pin-aiid-slot connection and the particular proportions and arrangement of parts, the final closure o f the circuit through the movable contact member fl is effected last, after which the latch 1'2 engages the cross piece lo and restrains the operating mechanism in its closed position. It is evident that, by reason of the link connections between the supporting arms 5 and 8 and the operating lever 39, the contact members are positively actuated in a predetermined order.

Although we have shown and described our invention as embodying specific structural details and as illustrating a singlepole circuit interrnpter, it will be understood that it is also applicable to multipolar interrupters. Furthermore, such modifications as may be effected in the arrangement and location of parts by those skilled in the art without materially changing the operation or the results secured are to be understood as included within the spirit and scope of our invention.

lVe claim as our invention:

l. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with main stationary contact terminals, a movable contact member to cooperate therewith, an auxiliary stationary contact terminal and a movable cooperating contact terminal, of an operating mechanism comprising a handle lever and a plurality of links severally associated with said movable member and terminal for positively and successively actuating said member rand said terminal in unison, and means for effecting a wiping contact between said cooperating auxiliary contact terminals.

2. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with main and auxiliary movable contact members and supporting arms therefor, of an operating mechanism embodying a handle and a plurality of links severally pivotally connected to said handle and to said supporting arms.

3. In a` circuit interrupter, the combination Iwith main stationary contact terminals, a cooperating movable contact member, a stationary arcing contact terminal, a cooperating movable ai'cing terminal and an arm for supporting said movable arcing terminal, of an operating mechanism separately associated with said movable contact member and said supporting` arm to effect concurrent operation thereof, and means associated with said supporting arm and. cooperating with said operating mechanism for effecting a wiping contact between said cooperating arcing terminals.

4. In a circuit iiiterrupter, the combination with main stationary contact terminals, a cooperating movable contact member, a stationary arcing contact terminal, a cooperating movable arcing terminal, and an arm for supporting said movable arcing terminal, of an operating lever, positive means for pivotally connecting said lever to said movable contact member and to said supporting arm, and a lost-motion connection associated with said supporting arm for permitting a wiping contact between said cooperating arcing terminals.

In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a movable Contact member, a movable arcing terminal, and an arm for supporting the movable arcing terminal, of positive means embodying linkage mechanisins severally associated with said movable contact member and said supporting arm for actuating said member and said arm in unison with said positive means, and resilient means disposed between said movable contact member and said supporting arm.

6. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with main and auxiliary movable contact members and separate supporting arms therefor, of a lost-motion connection associated with one of said supporting arms, and an operating mechanism embodying a handle, and a plurality of links severally pivotally connected to said handle and to said supporting arms.

7. A circuit interrupter comprising a pivotally mounted member, a movable arcing terminal, a supporting arm therefor, an operating lever, positive means for severally connecting said lever with said pivotally mounted member and said supporting arm to eiiiect concurrent operation thereof With said lever, a pin-and-slot connection for pivotally mounting said supporting arm and for permitting a sliding movement thereof, and a spring disposed between said pivotally mounted member and said arm and tending to maintain said arm in a definite position with respect to its pivotal mounting.

S. A, circuit interrupter comprising main cooperating stationary and movable contact members, auxiliary cooperating stationary and movable contact members, separate arms ttor pivotally supporting said movable members, positive means embodying a handle, and rigid members severally pivotally associated ivith said arms and said handle for actuating said supporting arms in a predetermined order, and a sliding connection associated vvith one oi said supporting arms.

9. Sie circuit interrupter comprising a main movable contact member, an auxiliary movable contact terminal, means for pivotally supporting said movable members, an operating lever separately associated With said supporting means for actuating said means in unison therewith, a sliding connection associated With one of said supporting means for permitting a longitudinal movement ot one of said supporting means, and a spring tending to oppose said movement.

10. In a circuit interruptor, the combination with a movable contact member, a movable areing terminal and an arm for supporting` the .novable arcing terminal, of positive means for connecting and actuating said movable contact member and said supporting arm in unison, and resilient means associated with said arm for iniiuencing its movement.

11. In a circuit interrupter, the combination ivith a movable Contact member, a movable areing terminal and a supporting arm for said movable arcing terminal, of a lostmotion pin-and-slot connection for pivotally mounting said supporting arm, and a compression spring` interposed between substantially the loiver end of said arm and said movable Contact member and tending to maintain said arm in its loivermost position.

12.11 cireuit-interrupter comprising a pivotally mounted contact member, a movable arcing terminal, a supporting arm therefor, an operating lever, links for positivelyv and severally connecting said lever to said bridging member and said supporting arm, a pin-and-slot connection tor pivotally supporting said arm and for permitting a sliding movement thereof, and a compression spring interposed between said arm and bridging member for maintaining said arm in a predetermined position ivith respect to its pivotal mounting.

13. ln a circuit interruptor, the combination ivith main and auxiliary movable contact members and separate movable means for supporting said members, oit' means 'for actuating said supporting means and associated Contact members comprising a positively connected linkage mechanism the parts of which move in unison.

14. In a circuit interrupter, the combination ivith main and auxiliary contact members, a movable supporting arm for one of said members, a similar arm for the other of said members comprising a plurality of side members severally disposed on the opposite sides of said iirst mentioned arm and mounted on the same pivotal support, and an operating mechanism positively and separately associated with said supporting arms, of a. lost motion connection associated with one of said arms and permitting longitudinal movement thereof, and a compression spring` longitudinally and centrally disposed betvveen the side members of one of said arms, the opposite ends thereofengaging, respectively, the several arms.

In testimony vvhereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names this 19th day of July, 1911.

CHRISTIAN AALBORG. THOMAS S. PUKERUD.

lVitnesses ALvx G. Commo, B. B. l-irNns.

oplex of this patent may be obtained for five cents cach, by addressing' the Commissioner of Iatcncx` Washington, D. C. 

